A trial coach service connecting Forster, Taree, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, along with towns in between was launched this month, ahead of the April school holidays.
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NSW TrainLink Acting Chief Executive Pete Allaway said the six-month trial followed strong support and feedback from the community during recent community consultation.
"This is great news for the community, as they will now be able to travel directly by public transport between Forster and Coffs Harbour and return in the same day," Mr Allaway said.
"Now that we're into the school holidays this service is a great opportunity for day trippers and families to connect with their loved ones along the North Coast."
The trial day return coach services operate on Mondays and Fridays between Forster and Coffs Harbour with stops including Taree, Cundletown, Coopernook, Kew, Wauchope, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Frederickton, Macksville, Nambucca Heads and Urunga.
"The feedback we received was very encouraging and we used it to create what we believe will be a great service for the community," Mr Allaway said.
"One important piece of feedback was that the service should start at Forster rather than Taree as originally planned.
"We listened to the community and are pleased to be able to extend our service to meet the public transport needs of these and other smaller communities on the route to Coffs Harbour.
"I encourage the community to take advantage of the trial coach services to ensure their success.
"These services are run on trial basis and are driven by community need. For example, the Tamworth to Port Macquarie trial service introduced in March 2018 has had promising patronage and has been extended until 31 December 2019."
NSW TrainLink will be reviewing customer feedback and preferences during the six-month Forster to Coffs Harbour trial to see if any improvements can be made.
Customers can book the trial coach services online at www.transportnsw.info/regional or by phoning NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32. Concessions are available for eligible customers.
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